MP27-13 PERIPHERAL NEUROMODULATION OF VAGINAL BLOOD FLOW: A POTENTIAL TREATMENT FOR FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP27-13 PERIPHERAL NEUROMODULATION OF VAGINAL BLOOD FLOW: A POTENTIAL TREATMENT FOR FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION Priyanka Gupta, Elizabeth Bottorff, Patricia Maymi-Castrodad, Mackenzie Moore, Giulia Lane, Gianna Rodriguez, and Tim Bruns Priyanka GuptaPriyanka Gupta More articles by this author , Elizabeth BottorffElizabeth Bottorff More articles by this author , Patricia Maymi-CastrodadPatricia Maymi-Castrodad More articles by this author , Mackenzie MooreMackenzie Moore More articles by this author , Giulia LaneGiulia Lane More articles by this author , Gianna RodriguezGianna Rodriguez More articles by this author , and Tim BrunsTim Bruns More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003255.13AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a potentially life altering condition that impacts an estimated 40% of women. Unfortunately, the few treatment options available have limited success due to their high incidence of adverse events and inability to improve subjective arousal. One potential treatment option, peripheral neuromodulation, has been successful in improving female sexual function index scores. However, the underlying mechanisms of how neuromodulation improves FSD are still largely unknown. We hypothesize that improvements in FSD symptoms are due to improvements in genital hemodynamics. METHODS: We developed a clinical study to investigate changes in vaginal blood flow (VBF) in response to dorsal genital nerve (DGN) and tibial nerve stimulation in three cohorts of women: healthy controls, women with FSD, and women with spinal cord injury (SCI). Incorporating women with SCI allows us to investigate which neural pathways contribute to genital sexual arousal. Each participant attends two study visits: one for each nerve target, randomly ordered. At each visit, a vaginal photoplethysmography (VPP) sensor is used to measure blood flow during a 5-minute baseline, 20 minutes of nerve stimulation, and a 5-minute washout period. The VPP signals are filtered in the neurogenic energy frequency spectrum (0.76 – 0.20 Hz) for analysis. RESULTS: Seven out of eight participants reported genital sensations due to nerve stimulation, three of whom have SCI. One participant with a complete SCI had increases in their VPP neurogenic energy during dorsal genital nerve stimulation (Figure 1). An animal study is being planned to investigate the VBF response observed in complete SCI. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides further support for neuromodulation as a treatment for neurogenic and non-neurogenic FSD. Source of Funding: Craig H. Neilsen Foundation and International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e367 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Priyanka Gupta More articles by this author Elizabeth Bottorff More articles by this author Patricia Maymi-Castrodad More articles by this author Mackenzie Moore More articles by this author Giulia Lane More articles by this author Gianna Rodriguez More articles by this author Tim Bruns More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...